ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Developing Wayside Amenities along National Highways
National Highways Authority of India  has identified nearly 183 sites for setting up wayside amenities along national highways. These sites will be developed to provide facilities such as separate parking for cars, buses and trucks, restaurant/food court, low cost dhaba, telephone booth/ATM, fuel station & minor repair shop, rest rooms for short-stay, clean toilets, landscaping, kiosk for sale of miscellaneous sundry items, space for spreading Government welfare programme in a systematic and planned manner. Wayside amenities now form part of major highway improvement projects.
Out of the 183 identified sites, land for 63 sites is available with NHAI and bids for 16 sites have been invited with due date of receipt in August, 2017. Bids for the remaining sites are being invited shortly. A Project Management Consultant  has been appointed to assist in the overall implementation of the project and to engage specialized firms for developing and operating these facilities.
The Ministry grants access permission to the retail outlets located along the NHs. As per the licence agreement signed as part of granting such access permission, it is mandatory for retail outlets to provide toilet and drinking water facilities to the users. No separate funds are allocated for providing such way side amenities, etc., on NHs.
This information was given by Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
More than 560 projects across North Eastern Region geo-tagged through project monitoring system developed by MDoNER and NESAC.
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region , in collaboration with North Eastern Space Application Centre , Department of Space, Government of India, has developed a project monitoring system through which the physical progress of the projects supported by MoDoNER is monitored.
Till November 2022, out of 588 identified projects, 562 projects, at 1664 different locations across North Eastern Region , have been geo-tagged through this system.
This information was given by Minister of DoNER, Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU on passenger cruise services on the coastal and protocol routes between India and Bangladesh
Cabinet approves MoU on passenger cruise services on the coastal and protocol routes between India and Bangladesh
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved MoU on passenger cruise services on the coastal and protocol routes between India and Bangladesh for starting regular movement of passengers and tourists in water crafts between the two countries.
The operationalization of this MoU will promote people to people contact and cooperation between the two countries in respect of economic, social and cultural advancement. It will also generate employment opportunities for the people of India and Bangladesh.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Bihar
The Income Tax Department has carried out searches on 29.10.2020 in the cases of four prominent contractor groups based in Patna, Bhagalpur, Hilsa, and Katihar. In addition, surveys have been conducted on some traders of mined rocks in Gaya.
All the four groups have been found to have been evading taxes by inflating expenses for the supply of material and labour.
In one case payments have been made to various parties without any evidence of having received any services or supplies. Payments made to bogus parties are received back as an unsecured loan or sometimes withdrawn in cash. Such loans are of about Rs. 10 crore. Further, substantial bogus purchases have been debited in the books. These parties do not exist, but are shown as ‘creditors’ in the books. Such creditors amount to about Rs. 20 crore. Further, bank documents, accounts and other incriminating material of some bogus parties have been seized from the premises of the assessee. These documents and consequential field investigations clearly show that the parties are not genuine and bank accounts have been opened and are being operated by the assessee only. The cash generated has been used in acquiring properties etc.
Seized documents in another case also show that the payments for inflated expenses are being made by bearer cheques. These payments are withdrawn from the bank account by the assessee’s own persons. Such amounts are being quantified. There are sundry creditors for unpaid labour of about Rs 15 crore. These have also been found to be bogus during the search.
There are documents showing inflation of expenses of about Rs 15 crore in another group. This group has made investments in properties in Bihar, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh.
In another case, evidence of payments made for bogus purchases through cheques but received back in cash has been seized. The cash generated has been invested in purchasing properties and construction of a commercial building. Evidence of such concealment of income of about Rs. 10 crore, using this modus operandi, has been found.
Various incriminating documents, including diaries, purchase deeds, documents showing receipts and payments in cash have been seized.
During surveys also, evidences of unaccounted cash entries, unaccounted sales and purchases have been found totalling to more than Rs. 8 crore. In addition, sales and purchases of stone etc have been found to be not recorded in the books of accounts.
During the search, cash totalling upto Rs 3.21 crore has been seized. Fixed deposits of Rs. 30 crore have been placed under prohibitory orders. Further, properties worth Rs. 16 crore are being placed under prohibitory orders.
The searches have led to unearthing of unaccounted income of about Rs. 75 crore, so far. Further investigations are continuing.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Climate change likely to favor soil-borne plant pathogens for diseases like dry root rot of chickpea in future
Indian Scientists have identified that high-temperature drought conditions and low soil moisture content are favorable conditions for dry root rot , a disease that damages the roots or girdles the trunk in chickpea. This work will be useful for the development of resistant lines and better management strategies.
Dry root rot disease causes reduced vigour, dull green leaf colour, poor new growth, and twig dieback. If extensive root damage occurs, the leaves suddenly wilt and dry on the tree. The increasing global average temperature is leading to appearance of many new plant disease-causing pathogens at a rate hitherto unheard of, one of them being Macrophomina phaseolina, a soil-borne necrotrophic that causes root rot in chickpea. Currently, the central and southern states of India have been identified as the prime chickpea DRR hotspots with an overall 5 – 35% disease incidence.
Considering the destructive potential of the pathogen and a real possibility of an epidemic scenario in the near future, a team led by Dr. Mamta Sharma at ICRISAT embarked on a journey to unravel the science behind DRR in chickpea.
The team which closely monitored the disease identified that high temperatures ranging between 30 to 35 degrees, drought conditions, and less than 60% soil moisture content are favorable conditions for dry root rot .
This work supported and funded from the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India at the Center of Excellence in Climate Change at ICRISAT proved the close association of this disease with climatic factors. The results have been published in ‘Frontiers in Plant Science’.
The scientists explained that Macrophomina survives in a wide range of environmental conditions, even at extremes of temperature, soil pH, and moistures. In chickpea, DRR is highly prevalent during the flowering and podding stages coinciding with high temperature and drought conditions. They are now exploring ways to use the study for development of resistant lines and better management strategies.
The team is also trying to address the disease favourable conditions identified from a molecular perspective. In a recent breakthrough in gene expression studies, scientists have identified a few promising chickpea genes encoding for enzymes like chitinase and endochitinase, which can provide some degree of defense against DRR infection.
The team at ICRISAT, in collaboration with ICAR research institutes, has also adopted several multi-pronged approaches, including continuous surveillance, better detection techniques, development of forecast models, screening assays, etc., to fight against such deadly plant diseases.
 Infected Chickpea plant  Stress Field
Publication links:
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.653265
https://www.icrisat.org/icrisat happenings
For more details, Dr. Mamta Sharma  can be contacted.
President's Secretariat
PRESS COMMUNIQUE
The President of India is pleased to make the following appointment / transfer:-
 Shri Satya Pal Malik, Governor of Goa is transferred and appointed as Governor of Meghalaya.
 Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra to discharge the functions of the Governor of Goa in addition to his own duties.
2. The above appointments will take effect from the dates they assume charge of their respective offices.
Ministry of Finance
India and ADB sign $26 Million Loan Agreement for Additional Financing to Assam Urban Project
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank  signed here today in New Delhi a $26 Million Loan Agreement to provide additional financing for improving drainage infrastructure in Dibrugarh town of Assam under the ongoing Assam Urban Infrastructure Investment Program.
The ongoing Loan of $51 Million under the Program is helping to improve water supply infrastructure in Guwahati, and solid waste management and drainage infrastructure in Guwahati and Dibrugarh cities of Assam. The additional financing will further support in improving drainage system in Dibrugarh,and also support project management activities.
Mr. Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary , Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance said that the additional financing for the Project is expected to help Dibrugarh town in evacuating flood waters from the city through desilting, widening and lining of the drains and it will help in controlling flooding in the city who signed the Agreement for the Government of India.
Mr. Hoe Yun Jeong, OIC, India Resident Mission, who signed the Agreement on behalf of ADB said that the improved drainage will help reducing disruption of economic activity in Dibrugarh, which is prone to water-logging due to floods.
The Program was approved in 2011 for improving urban infrastructure in the two key Assam cities.
Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Culture has developed three Virtual Experiential Museums- Shri Prahlad Singh Patel
In 2016, Ministry of Culture was given the task of establishing Virtual Museums in at least 50 locations. Subsequently, Ministry of Culture has developed three Virtual Experiential Museums: - Man Mahal at Varanasi, Ajanta Caves at National Musuem, Delhi and Humayun Tomb in Delhi . Ministry of Culture also proposes to set up a National Virtual Experiential Site Museum at Vadnagar, Gujarat.
Ministry of Tourism under its schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘Development of Iconic sites’, has developed tourism infrastructure at various heritage destinations.
Under both these schemes, the primary objective is to develop the identified destinations as benchmark tourist destinations in terms of comprehensive development of infrastructure & services.
However, under both the above-mentioned schemes, interventions involving reconstruction of historic sites are not permissible.
This information was given by the Minister of State  of Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister condoles loss of lives of Indian Army personnel in a mishap near Leh
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives of Indian Army personnel in a mishap near Leh. He also wished the speedy recovery of those injured in the mishap.
In a X post, the Prime Minister said;
“Pained by the mishap near Leh in which we have lost personnel of the Indian Army. Their rich service to the nation will always be remembered. Condolences to the bereaved families. May those who are injured recover at the earliest: PM @narendramodi”
Ministry of Defence
Inauguration of Extension of Naval Jetty Phase-II at Naval Wharf, Haddo
A major Naval project of ‘Extension of Jetty’ at the Naval Wharf was inaugurated by Vice Admiral SR Sarma, Chief of Materiel of Indian Navy, on 22 March 2021. Rear Admiral Suraj Berry, Chief of Staff, HQ Andaman and Nicobar Command and Shri TN Krishnamoorthy, Chief Engineer, Andaman & Lakshadweep Harbour Works were present for the event.
The 230 meter long jetty is one of the larger marine infrastructure projects being undertaken at Andaman and Nicobar Command both in terms of magnitude and technical complexity. The jetty will enable mooring alongside of the Floating Dock and will significantly boost the ship berthing and maintenance capability of the Tri Service Command. The project was completed within stringent timelines of just about three years despite restrictions due to the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.
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Ministry of Defence
4th Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India & the Maldives held in Male
Defence Secretary & his Maldivian counterpart review entire gamut of bilateral defence engagements; Agree to increase the complexity of existing exercises
India and the Maldives conducted the 4th Defence Cooperation Dialogue  in Male on March 19, 2023. The dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and his Maldivian counterpart, Chief of Defence Force, Maldives National Defence Forces Major General Abdulla Shamaal.
This DCD is the highest institutionalised interactive mechanism between the two countries. Its significance in chartering the future course of relations between both the Armed Forces was highlighted by the importance given to the talks by the two nations. During the interaction, ongoing bilateral defence cooperation activities were reviewed and both sides expressed satisfaction at the increasing engagements. The talks covered the existing bilateral exercises, with both countries agreeing to increase the complexity of these drills.
The Armed Forces of India & the Maldives continue to seek bilateral cooperation in multiple fields and the increased engagements are a positive sign for the future of bilateral relations. Shri Giridhar Aramane thanked Major General Abdulla Shamaal and his delegation for a fruitful dialogue and stated that India looks forward to continued engagement based on the common understanding reached at the 4th DCD.
During his visit to the Maldives, the Defence Secretary also called on Minister of Defence Ms Mariya Ahmed Didi and Minister of State, Foreign Affairs Mr Abdulla Shahid.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Dr. Harsh Vardhan to visit Bihar tomorrow to review public health measures for containment and management of AES/JE cases
“While the Center is extending all support to the state of Bihar for the containment and management of the recent surge of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome  and Japanese Encephalitis  cases, I shall be going to Muzaffarpur tomorrow to take stock and review the situation at the site with the State Government.” This was stated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare on the eve of his visit to Bihar, here today. During his visit, the Union Health Minister will interact with the multi-disciplinary teams deployed there and address the state level review meeting. “I shall discuss the management measures being recommended by the high level expert team of the Centre, and support that can be extended through National Health Mission  for health systems strengthening, and other Ministries of the Central government including the Ministry of Women and Child Development as part of the immediate and long term measures”, he stated.
Dr Harsh Vardhan further stated that the Health Ministry is constantly monitoring the situation and supporting the State health authorities in managing the AES/JE cases. “The continued round-the-clock presence of the Central and State Teams in the affected areas and preventive actions taken by them have instilled confidence among the public. We will soon be able to contain the rise in AES/JE cases”, Dr Harsh Vardhan added.
Elaborating on the support being extended to the State of Bihar, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “A multi- disciplinary specialist high level team has been deployed by the Health Ministry. Experts drawn from NCDC/NVBDCP/ ICMR/AIIMS, Patna/ Child Health Division of the Health Ministry are part of this Central team and are supporting the State in containing the surge in cases of encephalopathy/ encephalitis”. The Union Health Minister has met Shri Mangal Pandey, Health Minister of Bihar on two occasions recently and discussed the reported rise in cases of AES from Muzaffarpur and JE from Gaya in Bihar, and public health measures for their containment.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Election Management Bodies of Namibia and Panama
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for an MoU between India and the the Electoral Commission of Namibia  and with Electoral Tribunal of Panama  on cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration.
Salient features:
This MoU contains standard articles/clauses which broadly express promotion of cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration including promotion of exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of organizational and technical development of electoral process; support in exchanging information, institutional strengthening and capacity building, training of personnel, holding regular consultations etc.
Impact:
The MOU would promote bilateral cooperation, aimed at building technical assistance/ capacity support for the Electoral Commission of Namibia  and with Electoral Tribunal of Panama . It envisages cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration and providing a leg-up to it in conducting elections in their respective countries. This would also result in bolstering India's international relations.
Background:
The Election Commission  has been participating in promoting cooperation in the field ofelection matters and electoral processes across the world with certain foreign countries and agenciesby adopting the mode of Memorandum of Understanding  signed by the concerned parties. TheElection Commission is a constitutional body which conducts the largest electoral exercise in the world. It isthe responsibility of the EC to organise free and fair election in the country of about85 crore voters with diverse socio-political and economic backgrounds. The success of democracy in Indiahas attracted the attention of almost every political system around the world.
In its pursuit of excellence, the Election Commission has been receiving various proposalsfrom foreign electoral bodies for developing bilateral relations in the field of election and matters connected therewith. The Election Commission has forwarded proposals to the Ministry of Law andJustice, Legislative Department relating to signing of Memorandum of Understanding  by it with
the Electoral Commission of Namibia  and with Electoral Tribunal of Panama oncooperation in the field of electoral management and administration.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Bhavina Patel Creates History at Tokyo Paralympics; Bags India First-ever Medal in Table Tennis
Shri Anurag Thakur shares memorable photo featuring Shri Narendra Modi and Bhavina Patel from 2010
Key Highlight
- Prime Minister called up Bhavina following her final match against Zhou Ying on Sunday morning and congratulated her on winning the silver medal.
Bhavinaben Patel created history by winning India's first silver medal in women's singles class 4 table tennis today at Tokyo Paralympics. Winning a silver medal is nothing short of a surprise and a memorable gift to the nation on the occasion of National Sports Day 2021.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Thakur went back in history and recollected some cherished moments Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had shared with Bhavina. The Union Minister shared a photo from 2010 where Bhavina and her compatriot Sonalben Patel were felicitated by the then-Gujarat Chief Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. “Sonal and Bhavina were heading for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. CM Narendra Modi met and encouraged them to give their best,” Shri Thakur wrote on his Twitter.
“Building a sports culture, supporting every sport and sportspersons has been a lifelong endeavour, which continues and bears its fruits today. Sportspersons’ Prime Minister!” the tweet further read. Prime Minister called up Bhavina following her final match against Zhou Ying on Sunday morning and congratulated her on winning the silver medal.
The 34-year-old Indian para-Table Tennis player, ranked 12th in the world in the Class 4 category, had a big mountain to climb against Ying in the final. She went down 0-3 to the World No 1, who now has six gold medals from four Paralympic Games. Bhavina had come up short against the Chinese in her opening group stage match as well. Nevertheless, the amount of upsets she caused right from the pre-quarters stage is noteworthy.
Bhavina, playing just her maiden Paralympic Games, won her round of 16 match against Brazil’s Joyce de Oliveira, a higher-ranked opponent, in straight games 3-0. Serbia’s Borislava Peric, Bhavina’s opponent in the QF, was a gold as well as a silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. The Indian dominated her en-route a 3-0 victory as well. In semis, Bhavina defeated 2012 Paralympics gold medalist and 2016 Paralympics silver medalist Zhang Miao in a 3-2 thriller.
Bhavina has been given the utmost support as possible by the Government of India in terms of participation in international competitions, financial assistance towards procuring a TT Table, TT Robot ‘Butterfly – Amicus Prime’, worth Rs 2.85 lakh as well as an Ottobock Wheelchair worth Rs 2.74 Lakh.